Lil Wayne Finally Apologizes To Emmett Till’s Family

This took long enough. Lil Wayne has penned a letter of apology to Emmett Till’s family over the use of the late 14-year-old’s name in a vile lyric on his verse from Future’s “Karate Chop (Remix).”

In said song, Weezy raps, “Beat the pu–y up like Emmett Till,” which angered the family and many aware of the significance of Till’s death to the Civil Rights Movement.

Besides mentioning that he understands the pain the family feels since he is a father himself, the YMCMB rapper acknowledges Till’s cultural significance in his letter. “I have tremendous respect for those who paved the way for the liberty and opportunities that African-Americans currently enjoy,” reads the letter. “As a business owner who employs several African-American employees and gives philanthropically to organizations that help youth to pursue their dreams my ultimate intention is to uplift rather than degrade our community.”

The apology is late but to know his nam e he had to know the story behind that name.I say hit him where it hurts.Thats they only way they learn.No trickin money means no hoes

iHM

I think it’s good that he gave the family the respect to apologize to them since they basically demanded an apology and made it a race issue. I disagree with that entirely though. Anyone remember back in about 2003 when 3-6-Mafia came out with that song, “Bin Laden Weed”? You know, Osama Bin Laden, the guy who reportedly orchestrated the 9-11 attacks? Where was the outrage then when they made Bin Laden into a positive term? No outrage when rappers talk about Hitler (Public Enemy, Boosie, and probably many others) or ask for the death of the United States President (Eminem). There was outrage from Rosa Parks when Outkast used her name, but the song got plenty of play in the clubs and bars – nobody raised an eyebrow. They make puns about all kinds of things. What about that song, “Rock N Roll N*gg*r”? Offensive title, no? Of course the title is offensive to black people, but that didn’t stop the song from being a fantastic expression of art. Rappers reference Khomeini and Ayatollah sometimes and you don’t hear me panicking or demanding an apology. I mean one guy’s rap name was literally Idi Amin. So it’s okay for him to name himself after a guy responsible for the slaughter of thousands of black people in Africa, but god forbid Lil Wayne make a pun about Emmett Till.

Shay

You are soo right thank you for your statement! There are sooo many other artists and songs that need to be addressed but they chose to use Lil wayne and Rick Ross as examples. Eminem even did a whole video about killing the president. I didn’t even hear that lyric in lil Wayne’s song until all these articles came out about him. I love Lil wayne I don’t think he ever meant disrespect he was just making good music like he always does!!…:)

iHM

Oh you’re welcome, thank you for understanding. I said something similar on another site, B-sip, and they *raged* about it. People let their own sensitivity guide them without having any regard for others. It’s only when it’s *personally* offensive that it’s a big deal. You can’t do that with art. If art hurts someone’s feelings, chances are, it’s decent art. Personally I am *not* a fan of Lil Wayne and I don’t find him very interesting any more, but I don’t think it is logical to now start telling people what they can and cannot make a PUN out of in a rap song. Remember back in 1990 when 2 Live Crew got taken to the Supreme Court for their obscene lyrics? And fans of rap were outraged? This is really similar to that, except nobody is standing up and saying, “Look, this is art, we can express ourselves how we want, and if you don’t like it, don’t buy it and don’t give him the endorsement. But don’t *guilt* him into abandoning his own art work.”

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004478231371 Leslie Allen

You can’t please everyone. He said sorry and that was a really good letter. What more do you want him to do?